Outdoor Fountains: The Minoan Society

Outdoor Fountains: The Minoan Society Archaeological excavations in Minoan Crete in Greece have revealed some types of conduits. These were applied to provide cities with water as well as to reduce flooding and eliminate waste material. Virtually all were prepared from terracotta or stone. Terracotta was used for waterways and water pipes, both rectangle-shaped and round. The cone-like and U-shaped terracotta pipes that were uncovered have not been spotted in any other society. Knossos Palace had an advanced plumbing network made of terracotta pipes which ran up to three meters below ground. These Minoan pipes were also used for amassing and stocking water, not just distribution. Thus, these pipelines had to be ready to: Underground Water Transportation: This obscure method for water circulation may have been chosen to provide water to particular people or functions. Quality Water Transportation: Many scholars think that these water lines were chosen to generate a separate distribution system for the residence.

The Source of Modern Outdoor Water Fountains

The Source of Modern Outdoor Water Fountains Himself a highly educated man, Pope Nicholas V led the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of hundreds of ancient documents from their original Greek into Latin. Beautifying Rome and making it the worthy capital of the Christian world was at the center of his ambitions. In 1453 the Pope commissioned the rebuilding of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away. Building a mostra, an imposing celebratory fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the arrival point of an aqueduct, was a tradition revived by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was commissioned by the Pope to build a wall fountain where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The water which eventually provided the Trevi Fountain as well as the renown baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.

Creators of the First Outside Garden Fountains

Creators of the First Outside Garden Fountains Water fountain designers were multi-talented people from the 16th to the late 18th century, often serving as architects, sculptors, artisans, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one person. Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance artist, was renowned as a ingenious master, inventor and scientific expert. He systematically recorded his ideas in his currently celebrated notebooks, after his enormous interest in the forces of nature guided him to investigate the attributes and movement of water. Coupling imaginativeness with hydraulic and landscaping expertise, early Italian water feature creators modified private villa settings into brilliant water exhibits complete with emblematic implications and natural elegance. The humanist Pirro Ligorio offered the vision behind the wonders in Tivoli and was recognized for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden concepts. Well versed in humanist subjects and ancient technical readings, some other water fountain creators were masterminding the extraordinary water marbles, water properties and water jokes for the various estates around Florence.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Outdoor Fountains

Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Outdoor Fountains There are numerous renowned water fountains in Rome’s city center. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the finest sculptors and artists of the 17th century planned, conceived and constructed virtually all of them. Traces of his life's work are evident all through the streets of Rome simply because, in addition to his abilities as a water feature builder, he was also a city architect. Ultimately moving to Rome to completely show their art, chiefly in the shape of public water features, Bernini’s father, a famed Florentine sculptor, guided his young son. An outstanding workman, Bernin earned encouragement and the patronage of popes and well known painters. He was initially recognized for his sculpture. Most famously in the Vatican, he utilized a base of experience in classic Greek architecture and melded it flawlessly with Roman marble. He was influenced by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.

The Use of Garden Fountains As Water Features

The Use of Garden Fountains As Water Features The movement of water flowing in or through a large feature is what defines of a water feature. The broad range of models available range from a simple hanging wall fountain to an elaborate courtyard tiered fountain. Given that they are so variable, these decorative elements can be situated either in your backyard or inside your home. Pools and ponds are also regarded as water features.

An outdoor wall fountain can be a beneficial water element to add to any yard, yoga studio, patio, balcony, or workplace. You can relax to the softly cascading water in your fountain and gratify your senses of sight and sound. Their aesthetically pleasing form accentuates the decor of any living space. The water’s comforting sounds lead to a feeling of tranquility, cover up disagreeable noises, and provide a wonderful water display.

Bernini's First Masterpieces

Bernini's First Masterpieces The Barcaccia, Bernini's first water fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. This spot is still filled with Roman locals and visitors who enjoy exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. Today, the city streets around Bernini's fountain are a trendy area where people go to meet, something which the artist would have been pleased to learn. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the very first fountain of the master's career. A massive boat slowly sinking into the Mediterranean is the fountain's central theme. Period writings dating back to the 16th century show that the fountain was constructed as a monument to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a long-lasting time period, in 1665 Bernini voyaged to France.

Modern Wall Fountains

Modern Wall Fountains Your family and friends will appreciate the elegance a wall fountain lends to your decor. The dazzling splendor a wall water feature lends to any place is in addition to the gentle background sounds it produces. Think of the positive effects it will have on guests when they experience its wondrous sights and sounds.

Even a living space with a modern-day look can be improved with a wall fountain. They can also add an element of elegance to your decor since they are also made in modern-day materials including glass and stainless steel. Is the floor space in your residence or workplace scarce? The ideal alternative for you is a wall water fountain. Since they are hung on a wall you can save your precious real estate for something else. Corporate buildings with busy lobbies generally have one of these fountains. Interior spaces are not the only places to hang a wall fountain, however. Exterior wall water features can be constructed of fiberglass or resin. Gardens, porches, or other outdoor spaces needing a stylish touch should include a water fountain made of one of these weather-proof materials.

Wall fountains can be made in a wide array of different designs ranging from contemporary to classic and provincial. You can choose the best style based upon your own preferences. The kind of material used depends on the type of space which needs to be decorated such as slate for a traditional lodge or sleek glass for a contemporary residence. Your individual decoration plans determine the material you select. One thing is sure, however, fountains are features which will no doubt dazzle your guests.

The Beauty of Simple Garden Decor: The Landscape Fountain

The Beauty of Simple Garden Decor: The Landscape Fountain Having a pond near your outdoor water fountain is no longer required because they can now be situated on a wall near by. Nowadays, you can eliminate excavations, complicated installations and cleaning the pond. Plumbing is no longer a necessity since this feature in now self-contained. Do not forget, however, to put in water at consistent intervals. Your pond and the nearby area are certain to get dirty at some point so be sure to empty the water from the basin and replenish it with clean water.

Any number of materials can be utilized to build garden wall features, but stone and metal are the most practical. The most suitable material for your water feature depends completely on the design you prefer. The best designs for your outdoor wall fountain are those which are handmade, easy to put up and not too heavy to hang. Buying a fountain which needs minimal maintenance is important as well. Generally, most installations are straight forward since the only parts which may require scrutiny are the re-circulating pump and the hanging hardware whereas other kinds of setups can be a bit more difficult. Little exertion is needed to liven up your garden with these kinds of water features.

The Positive Benefits of installing a wall fountain in Your Living Area

The Positive Benefits of installing a wall fountain in Your Living Area A great way to enhance the appeal of your outdoor living area is to add a wall fountain or an exterior garden fountain to your landscaping or garden design. Historical fountains and water features have stirred the notice of contemporary designers as well as fountain designers. As such, the effect of integrating one of these to your interior decor connects it to past times. In addition to the positive attributes of garden fountains, they also generate water and moisture which goes into the air, thereby, drawing in birds as well as other creatures and harmonizing the environment. Birds enticed by a fountain or bird bath often scare away irksome flying invaders, for instance.

The area required for a cascading or spouting fountain is considerable, so a wall fountain is the perfect size for a small yard. You can choose to install a stand-alone fountain with a flat back and an attached basin propped against a fence or wall in your backyard, or a wall-mounted type which is self-contained and suspended from a wall. Both a fountain mask located on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are necessary if you wish to add a fountain. It is best not to attempt this job yourself as skilled plumbers and masons are more suitable to do this kind of work.

Fountains for Tight Spots

Fountains for Tight Spots You can make your space appear bigger due to the reflective effect of water. Dark materials increase the reflective properties of a fountain or water feature. Use underwater lights, which come in many different forms and colors, to flaunt your new feature at night. Eco-lights powered by sunlight can be used during the day whereas you can use lights to enhance your backyard at night. The comforting effect created by these is oftentimes used in nature techniques to alleviate anxiety and stress.

Your backyard vegetation is a fantastic area to incorporate in your water feature. Ponds, artificial rivers, or fountains are just some of the ways you can you can make it become the central feature on your property. The versatility of water features is that they can be set up in large backyards as well as in small verandas. The right accessories and the best location for it are important if you want to better the atmosphere.

The Original Public Water Features

The Original Public Water Features Towns and communities depended on functional water fountains to channel water for cooking, washing, and cleaning up from local sources like lakes, streams, or creeks. Gravity was the power source of water fountains up until the conclusion of the nineteenth century, using the forceful power of water traveling down hill from a spring or brook to squeeze the water through spigots or other outlets. Fountains all through history have been developed as memorials, impressing local citizens and visitors alike. The common fountains of modern times bear little similarity to the very first water fountains. A natural stone basin, carved from rock, was the 1st fountain, used for holding water for drinking and religious purposes. Rock basins as fountains have been found from 2,000 BC. The spraying of water emerging from small jets was pushed by gravity, the only power source creators had in those days. These original water fountains were created to be functional, often situated along aqueducts, streams and waterways to supply drinking water. The Romans began creating ornate fountains in 6 B.C., most of which were bronze or natural stone masks of creatures and mythological characters. The extraordinary aqueducts of Rome furnished water to the incredible public fountains, most of which you can visit today.

Rome’s Ingenious Water Delivery Systems

Rome’s Ingenious Water Delivery Systems Rome’s 1st elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in 273 BC; before that, residents living at higher elevations had to rely on natural springs for their water. Outside of these aqueducts and springs, wells and rainwater-collecting cisterns were the only technologies available at the time to supply water to areas of greater elevation. In the early 16th century, the city began to make use of the water that flowed below the ground through Acqua Vergine to furnish drinking water to Pincian Hill. As originally constructed, the aqueduct was provided along the length of its channel with pozzi (manholes) constructed at regular intervals. The manholes made it less demanding to maintain the channel, but it was also possible to use buckets to pull water from the aqueduct, as we viewed with Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi when he bought the property from 1543 to 1552, the year he passed away. Despite the fact that the cardinal also had a cistern to get rainwater, it didn’t provide a sufficient amount of water. That is when he made the decision to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran below his residential property.

What Are Outdoor Water fountains Crafted From?

What Are Outdoor Water fountains Crafted From? While today’s garden fountains are made in a variety of materials, most are crafted from metal. Those made from metals have clean lines and unique sculptural elements, and are flexible enough to fit any budget and decor. If you have a modern-day look and feel to your interior design, your yard and garden should have that same look.

Today, many people choose copper for their sculptural garden fountains. Copper is used in cascade and tabletop water fountains as well as various other styles, making it perfect for inside and outside fountains. Copper is also adaptable enough that you can pick a range of styles for your fountain, from contemporary to whimsical.

If your style is more traditional, a brass water fountain might work for you. Though not the most modern, the creatures and sculptural features you find on fountains are commonly made of brass, thus making them very popular.

Arguably the most modern of all metals is stainless steel. If you choose a cutting-edge steel design, both the value and tranquility of your garden will get a nice boost. As with any type of fountain, they are available in many sizes.

Fiberglass fountains are widespread because they look similar to metal but are more affordable and much easier to move around. It is not complicated to clean and maintain a fiberglass water fountain, yet another reason they are trendy.

Outdoor Garden Fountains: An Ideal Decor Accessory to Find Peace

Outdoor Garden Fountains: An Ideal Decor Accessory to Find Peace You can find harmony and tranquility by just having water in your garden. The trickling sounds emerging from your fountain will be helpful in masking any unpleasant sounds in your neighborhood. Consider this the place where can you go to recreate yourself and become one with nature. Many treatments use water as a recuperation element, going to places such as the seaside and rivers for their treatments. If what you seek is a calming place where you can take your body and your mind to a faraway place, set up a pond or fountain in your garden.

The Impact of the Norman Conquest on Anglo Saxon Landscaping

The Impact of the Norman Conquest on Anglo Saxon Landscaping The arrival of the Normans in the 2nd half of the 11th century irreparably transformed The Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. At the time of the conquest, the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons in building design and cultivation. However, there was no time for home life, domestic architecture, and decoration until the Normans had overcome the whole realm. Because of this, castles were cruder constructions than monasteries: Monasteries were usually immense stone buildings set in the biggest and most fertile valleys, while castles were erected on windy crests where their inhabitants dedicated time and space to tasks for offense and defense. The serene practice of gardening was impractical in these dismal bastions. The best example of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent in modern times is Berkeley Castle. It is said that the keep was developed during William the Conqueror's time. As a technique of deterring attackers from tunneling within the walls, an immense terrace encompasses the building. A picturesque bowling green, enveloped in grass and bordered by battlements clipped out of an ancient yew hedge, makes one of the terraces.

How Technical Concepts of Outdoor Spread

How Technical Concepts of Outdoor Spread Throughout the European countries, the principal means of spreading practical hydraulic facts and fountain design suggestions were the circulated papers and illustrated books of the time, which contributed to the advancement of scientific technology. An un-named French water feature developer was an internationally famed hydraulic leader in the late 1500's. His competence in making gardens and grottoes with built-in and ingenious water features began in Italy and with mandates in Brussels, London and Germany. “The Principles of Moving Forces”, a publication that became the essential text on hydraulic technology and engineering, was authored by him towards the end of his lifetime in France. The publication modified crucial hydraulic discoveries since classical antiquity as well as detailing modern hydraulic technologies. As a mechanized way to push water, Archimedes invented the water screw, fundamental among crucial hydraulic innovations. A pair of undetectable vessels heated by sunlight in an room adjacent to the decorative water fountain were found in an illustration. The heated liquid expands and then rises and shuts the pipes consequently triggering the water feature. Designs for pumps, water wheels, water features and outdoor ponds are also covered in the publication.

The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Wall Water Fountains

The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Wall Water Fountains Proper care and regular upkeep are important to the longevity of water fountains. A common issue with fountains is that they tend to accumulate dirt and debris, so it is essential that you keep it free from this. Also, algae tends to build up wherever natural light meets water. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be blended into the water to avoid this issue. Some people opt for adding bleach into the water, but the problem is that it harms wildlife - so it should be avoided.

Every three-four months, garden fountains should undergo a serious cleaning. Before you start cleaning, all of the water must be eliminated. Then use a soft cloth and gentle cleanser to scrub the inside. If there are any small grooves, use a toothbrush to get each and every spot. Make sure all the soap is completely cleaned off.

Calcium and fresh water organisms could get inside the pump, so you should disassemble it to get it truly clean. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it quicker to scrub. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain substances that will accumulate inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.

And finally, make sure the water level is continuously full in order to keep your fountain working optimally. Allowing the water to reach below the pump’s intake level, can cause major damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!

Classic Greece: The Inception of Outdoor Statue Design

Classic Greece: The Inception of Outdoor Statue Design Although the majority of sculptors were remunerated by the temples to embellish the elaborate columns and archways with renderings of the gods, as the time period came to a close, it became more common for sculptors to represent ordinary people as well mainly because many of Greeks had begun to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred. Affluent individuals would occasionally commission a rendition of their ancestors for their big family tombs; portraiture additionally became frequent and would be appropriated by the Romans upon their acquisition of Greek civilization. A point of artistic development, the use of sculpture and other art forms transformed through the Greek Classical period, so it is inexact to assume that the arts provided only one function. Greek sculpture is perhaps appealing to us all nowadays because it was an avant-garde experiment in the ancient world, so it doesn't make a difference whether or not its original function was religious zeal or artistic enjoyment.
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